Lamp fixture



. o.I ELTING LAMPV FIXTURE Aprily '1,y 1942;

2 shets-sheet 1 File Aug. 7, 1941 Nlp).

7mm/EY April 7 1942-- A. o. ELTING 2,279,036'

LAMP FXTURE Filed Aug. 7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 7, 1942 barren STATES PATENT orifice LAMP FIXTURE August 0. Elting, Chicago, Ill. Application August 7, 1941, Serial No. 405,760

(Cl. 24S- 344) 7 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in lamp xtures and more particularly to novelly constructed multiple socket carrying channelled wire-concealing arms to receive the ends of and support fluorescent tubes parallelly.

The invention is particularly concerned with the organization of a floor or table lamp of the type having fluorescent tubes arranged for direct lighting. In known types of fluorescent lamps of that character, various means are used to support fluorescent tubes horizontally, one on each side of the lamp fixture body or indirect lighting break. In some instances, a bulky and obviously unsightly box-like frame is carried on the lamp fixture body and in other known instances, unsightly tubular arms extend from opposite sides of the fixture body to support, at their free ends, the respective ends of the fluorescent tubes.`

It is this latter type of arm which involves certain manufacturing difficulties and serious objections in use. For example, it is practically impossible to adequately secure tubular arms to the relatively thin wall of the fixture body in a manner to avoid ultimate bulging of the body Wall and consequent sagging of the fixture arms; or to provide inexpensive tubing of a commercially practical size sufficiently strong to resist bending. In the event of either sagging or bending, thefree socket carrying ends of the arms become out of parallel and mounting of fluorescent tubes is made dilcult if not frequently impossible. Also, should the arms be out of parallel horizontally or vertically, or both, resulting from the arms sagging, bending or loosening and twisting in their mounting, the entire appearance of the fixture is marred. The use of tubular arms also requires the attachment of a suitable receptacle at their free ends to receive the fluorescent tube sockets, which attachment frequently is, or early becomes, insecure and consequently twists out of alignment or breaks 01T readily.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a fluorescent lamp fixture assembly embodying rigid novelly constructed channelled arms having integral means to effect secure attachment of said arms to the fixture body wall and to prevent sagging, bending, wobbling, or twisting.

Another object is to provide a one-piece cast channelled fixture arm of the character referred to.

'Another object is to provide a cast channelled arm for a lamp fixture with inexpensive means to effectively prevent displacement. and consequent exposure of the electric wires normally concealed therein.

Another object is to provide a channelled arm of the character referred to with novel means integral with one end to mount and secure a socket receptacle against removal or twisting.

Another object is to provide a lamp fixture arm with novelly constructed means at one end to receive and retain fluorescent tube sockets in their aligned position;

The foregoing and such other objects of the invention as will appear hereinafter as the description proceeds, will be more readily understood from a perusal of the following specication, in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, wherein: y

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of a lamp fixture embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through one of the arms shown in Fig. 1, omitting the sockets. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig'. 2.

Fig. Llis a plane view, partly broken away, of the tube socket receptacle.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of construction.

Fig. 6 is a View taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 5, illustrating the socket receptacle mounting.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating a modified form of socketreceptacle.

Fig. 8 'is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the base of the socketl receptacle shown in Figs. '7 and 8.

y Like numerals appearing in the description of the `various forms of arms identify corresponding parts in the drawings.

As best shown in Fig. l, the invention is embodied in cast arms II mounted in the circumferential wall portion I2 of a fixture body I3. A fixture body of the type illustrated preferably has the lower margin of its wall portion I2 enlarged annularly, as at I4, to receive an annular flange I5 of an associated fixture break I6, which is welded thereto.

The arms are horizontally and vertically alignedand are diametrically opposed to each other with one extending outwardly on each side of the fixture body I3, closely adjacent to the shoulder II formed by the enlargement I4. Each arm is substantially L-shaped and preferably includes an intermediate body portion I8, formed to provide an inverted substantially horizontal wire-receiving channel and a vertically disposed end portion I9 having the relatively front or exposed face of its channel concealed by a depending wall portion 2I.

The upper end of the vertical portion I9 of the arm carries a substantially rectangular multiplesocket receiving receptacle 22. The receptacle may be integral with the arm I I, as shown in Figs. 2.and 4; or it may be formed ofsheet metal and subsequently attached to said arm by any one of a plurality of means, such as is illustrated by way of example in Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring now to the embodiment of Figs. 2, '3 and 4, the receptacle 22 preferably is substantially rectangularin shape and is disposed `on one of its narrow sides so as to present open lateral ends each to receive a Lknownjtype of uorescent tube socket 23. The illustrated sockets 23 each have a substantially rectangular base .24 which ts snugly into an end of the receptacle and is limited in movement ,inwardly preferably by abutment against shoulders ldeiined vby the -ends of ribs 25 formed on the inside corners `of the receptacle. VAlthough the four ribs l25 preferably are located as shown, it is apparent that they may be otherwise located and that `any practicable number may be provided. The vsockets are secured against withdrawal Vfrom the receptacle by means of a web 26 which vextends vinwardly from either receptacle sidewall 21 -and has its ends tapped to receive anchoring screws 28, one of which passes through each socket base 2-4. An opening 29` in the receptacle bottom wall communicates with the channelshaped arm to provide a passageway for electric wires 3| which extend from said sockets through the passageway 29 downwardly and then substantially horizontally along the inverted channel. y

The other or mounting end of the channelled arm I'I preferably has an integral externally threaded nipple 32 communicating with the channel and lproviding a passageway for extending the wires 3| into the fixture body I3. f

The fixture body wall I2 has diametrically opposed .openings 433 preferably tapped. each to receive a threaded nipple 32 for mounting an arm in place. An external circumferential ange 34, adjacent the base .of the nipple 32, v

abuts the iixture body wall to limit threading movement of the nipple 32 therein.

The mounting described isadequate to retain the fixture arm in place on the body but is wholly lacking of means to prevent distortion of the body wall andrnisalignment of the Aarm should the arm be subjected todownward strain. Accordingly, the arm is provided, adjacent its external ange 34, with Ia 4depending wall or leg portion 35 adapted to conform to and fit snugly against the external annular shoulder I1 and enlarged `circumferential surface I4 of the 'xture body wall.

The Ymounting of the arm may be made more secure by threading a lock nut on the projecting inner end .of the nipple 32 or -a spot of solder 36 may be -used to prevent inadvertent twisting of the arm in such a manner as to dispose its portion I9 out of the vertical alignment. Initial positioning and maintenance of the portion I9 vertically is, `oi course. essential to the present organization in` order to retain the two fluorescent tubes A3I in parallel, horizontally and vertically. n

When the fixture is properly wired, the wires I brittle 3l are drawn substantially taut along the channel in the body portion I8, however, it frequently occurs that the wires are inadvertently left or become slack. As a consequence, suitable means necessarily is provided to prevent their hanging below the bottom edges of the channel side walls and thus being exposed. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, one or more drive screws 38 may be inserted through one of the channel side walls to bridge the channel adjacent its lower edge. It should be obvious, however, that other supporting means than that illustrated may be used to effectively prevent exposure of the wires 3I.

The structure illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 diers from the arm structure previously described ,primarily in that the receptacle 22a preferably is formed of sheet material and attached to the :arm Ain Aa manner to insure its being rmly secured in place against turning, twisting or wobbling. 'Ihe specific means, herein disclosed, to secure the receptacle to the arm end is identical to the specicmeans utilized to mount this specic arm to Ithe rixture body. In other words, both arm ends yare identical, hence, the following specific description of thel receptacle mounting iszequally applicable to the arm mounting on vthe fixture body.

Accordingly, the arm end carrying the receptacle .22ais provided with an external circumferential flange 39 inwardly of its end to provide a .nipple or tting 40 which communicates with the channelled body I4 through the vertical portion I9. The nipple 40 is inserted through an opening in `one wall of the socket receptacle 22a. Obviously, a smooth surfaced nipple alone would not prevent inadvertent turning or twisting yof the receptacle, consequently, means is provided preferably at the juncture of the nipple with theface of the flange' 39 to prevent such turning. As shown, a plurality of circumferentially spaced substantially radial lugs 4I, preferably square in all dimensions, are formed integral with the nipple and iiange. These lugs are arranged to pass through similarly spaced recesses or notches 42 in the edge of the opening in the socket receptacle to key the arm and receptacle against relative turning. In assembly, the arm end is inserted 'into the opening in the socket recep tacle-and the assembly is placed in a suitable power press or 'the like whereupon the nipple 40 is expanded and preferably rolled outwardly and then downwardly tightly against the inside face Yof the socket receptacle wall. Expansion and.

rolling of the nipple end draws the face of the flange 39 tightly against the outside face of the socket receptacle and carries the lugs outwardly radially so as to substantially ll the recesses 42. When the nipple is rolled over tightly against the inside face of the fixture body, the lugs are distorted or attened slightly due to applied pressure.

Y Arms constructed as described and adapted to havethe socket receptacle attached thereto may be die-cast of white-metal which is exceedingly without difliculty of damaging during the operation. This is because the nipple 40 is amply reinforced while being expanded by the edges of the openingin the receptacle wall where the two are in substantial contact between the adjacent lugs. Further, the receptacle is securely `held against subsequent twisting or loosening by the abutment of the flat sides of the lugs and the corresponding recesses which are substantially radialsand .consequently'at right angles to the direction of the attempted rotation. Moreover,

the flat sides of the lugs extend substantially at right angles to the face of the flange 39 thereby preventing the possibility of the lugs being readily cammed out of their associated recesses should some twisting force be applied.

Itshould be noted in particular that the expansion or rolling over of the nipple atA the mounted or fixture body end of the arm pulls the depending wall portion 35 tightly against 'the outside face of the fixture body wall to make the mounting more rigid. This tight t obviously increases the resistance of the arm to turning relative to the fixture body.

Although the structure for securing the receptacle to the arml is illustrated as being iden-` tical to the structure used to secure arm of Fig. to the fixture body, it should be'understood that any one of a plurality of known meanslfor accomplishing the desired result may be utilized. For example, the specific mounting structures illustrated and claimed in applicants Patent No. 2,197,887, issued April 23, 1940, and in applicants co-pending applications, Serial No. 317,355, nled February 5, 1940, and Serial No. 304,915, filed November 17, 1939, may be utilized. It should be obvious also that the mounting end of the arm of Fig. 5 may be threaded in the manner of the nipple of Fig. 2. The structure disclosed in Fig. 5 has however been found to be the most practical in View of its low assembly cost and the permanency of the mounting.

The lamp fixture arm illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, is substantially like those previously` described except that the socket receptacle 22h includes a detachable portion. As shown, the vertical front end portion I9 of the channelled arm I8 terminates at its upper end in a substantially rectangular plate 43 having a central opening communicating with the arm passageway 29. A pair of longitudinally spaced substantially vertical lugs 44 are formed integral with and project from the top face of the plate 43.

As best illustrated in Fig. 8, these lugs provide a backing or stop for the fluorescent tube sockets 23 when the latter are properly positioned on the plate 43. Each socket 23 is secured in place by a screw 28 which extends through the base por tion 24 of the socket and threadingly engages a tapped hole in the upper end of the associated lug. After the sockets are wired and the Wires extended downwardly through the passage 29, a cover 45, consisting of an inverted substantially U-shaped sheet metal shell, is fitted over the sockets as shown. The cover 45 may be secured in place in any suitable manner. As an exemplary and perhaps most practical arrangement, transverse opposed ribs 46 are carried on the top face of the plate 43, one extending from one side of each of the lugs 44, each to receive a selftapping screw 4l' extending through a hole adjacent the lower edge of an associated side wall of the cover1 45,

Obviously the ribs 46 serve the added purpose of reinforcing the plate 3. It is apparent that the instant structure is such as to .facilitate quick and inexpensive mounting and wiring of the sockets and that the cast arm requires but a minimum amount of metal, without sacrificing practicability, utility or attractiveness of the assembly. If desired, the mounted end of the arm may be constructed as shown, which is identical to the mounting illustrated in Fig. 5, or it may embody the features of the arm shown in Fig. 2 or disclosed in applicants previously mentioned patent and applications.

An exemplary shape of. the improved cast arm has been illustrated and described, however, it' is to be understood that the disclosure is not restrictive but that; the arm may vary in its specific contour; the disclosed methods of mountingthe arm to Athe fixture body may be substi-A tuted one forfthe other; and that, the inven.-v tion isto embody such other variations or modiiicatons as will fall within the spirit of the invention and the scopeo'f the appended claims. l

I claim:

1. In a lamp fixture comprising, in combination, a fixture `body and diametrically opposed xture arms, said-armsfeach including a body portion providing a wire-receiving channel, means for fixedly securing one end of each of said arms. Y

to the fixture body, a vertical tubular portion on the free end of each arm in communication with the channel, and substantially rectangularreceptacles one ion the upper end of each tubular portion, said receptacles each being adapted to con#- tain a pair of lamp sockets arranged'with one of each pair in horizontal alignment with one of the other pair so as to receive the respective end mountings of parallel fluorescent tubes disposed one on each side of the fixture body.

2. In a lamp xture comprising, in combination a fixture body and opposed fixture arms, the fixture body being substantially cylindrical and having a circumferential enlargement providing an external annular shoulder, said arms each including a body portion providing a Wire-receiving channel, a nipple on one arm end in communication with said channel, an external iiange inwardly of the free end of said nipple, a depending portion adjacent said flange, the fixture body wall being provided with arm receiving openings adjacent its shoulder, the nipples each extending through an opening with the depending portion fitting against the shoulder and circumferential enlargement, and means to secure the nipple in its opening to hold the flange and depending portion snugly against the outside face of the fixture body wall and prevent turning or sagging of y the arm relative to the fixture body.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a fixture arm including a body portion providing an inverted wire-receiving channel, an integral lamp socket receptacle on one arm end having'a passageway in communication with said channel, an integral channel end-Wall depending from said receptacle to conceal the relatively front end of the channel, an integral nipple on the other arm end in communication with the channel, an integral wall portion depending from the arm end having the nipple, said wall portion being adapted to bear against the outside face of a xture body wall through which the nipple is extended to prevent sagging of the arm when the nipple is secured therein, and means bridging said channel between its ends to prevent sagging of wires threaded therethrough.

4. An article of manufacture comprising a fixture arm including a body portion providing an inverted wire-receiving channel, a socket receptacle on one arm end having a passageway in communication with said channel, an integral channel end-wall depending from said receptacle to conceal the relatively front end of the channel, an integral nipple on the other arm end in communication with the channel, an external flange inwardly of the end of the nipple, and an integral wall portion depending from the flange and adapted to bear against the outside face of a fixture body wall through which the nipple is extended to prevent sagging of the nippleissecured therein.

5. An articleof manufacture comprising a fixture arm including a body portionproviding an inverted .wire receiving channel', nipples' one integralrwith eachb bodyend and communicating arm when the with the channel, anf'external shoulder inwardly of fthe' free end of each nipple, at least one lug inwardly1 of the free end of each'nipple adjacent its' shoulder each adapted to be tted intol a recess in the Wall of a xture apart through which the respective nipples are extended lsothat when the free; ends of-thefnipples are expanded to secure thevarni in the respective parts the lugs key the armagainst turning relative tor said parts, and

means A:adjacent the shoulder at-one .arm endl adapted to engage the wall inrwhich said end is mounted tosecure thearm against sagging.

6. An article-of manufacture comprising a fixt arm. including a body portion providing `an inture. arm including al body portion providingan 20 inverted Wire-receiving channel, a substantiallyv rectangular lamp 4socket receptacle on one arm verted wire-receiving channel, a nipple on one arm `endk communicating `with the channel and .adapted to extend through the Wall of a xture body for mounting the arm, a substantially rectangular plate on'the other arm end, and lugs on said plate `adapted to receive screws to secure lamp sockets thereto.

f AUGUST O. ELTING. 

